Surfaces, Compared
Porcelain vs painted chalkboards
If the board gets written on every day, choose porcelain-on-steel. The difference is what the surface is made of.
A painted chalkboard is paint on hardboard. A porcelain chalkboard is enamel fired onto steel: glass-hard, non-porous and magnetic.
Side by Side
How the two surfaces compare
| Porcelain-on-steel | Painted | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Porcelain enamel fired onto a steel sheet | A coat of chalkboard paint on hardboard |
| The surface | Glass-hard and non-porous. Chalk sits on top. | A painted coating, which wears through with daily use |
| Ghosting | Resists it. A damp cloth clears the last trace. | Starts to ghost as the paint wears |
| Magnets | Holds them edge to edge | No |
| What we build | Every board, in Classic Black or Forest Green | None |
Before You Buy
Two ways to tell them apart
Ask what the surface is
“Chalkboard” covers both. A listing that names porcelain or enamel on steel is porcelain; one that names paint or a coating is a painted board.
Try a magnet
Porcelain is fused to a steel sheet, so a magnet holds anywhere on the surface. On painted hardboard it falls away.
FAQ
Porcelain chalkboard questions
01What's the difference between a porcelain and a painted chalkboard?
A painted chalkboard is a coat of paint on hardboard, which wears through and starts to ghost with daily use. Porcelain is a glass-hard enamel fired onto steel. It stays smooth, wipes clean, and holds magnets.
02Is a porcelain chalkboard magnetic?
Yes. The porcelain enamel is fused to a steel sheet, so the whole surface holds magnets: a recipe card, a wine list, a map. Painted chalkboards don't.
03Do porcelain chalkboards ghost?
Very little. The surface is non-porous, so chalk and liquid chalk sit on top instead of soaking in. A damp cloth clears the last trace.
04Can I use liquid chalk markers on porcelain?
Yes. Wet-erase liquid chalk writes brighter than stick chalk and wipes off with a damp cloth. Skip permanent paint pens, which are made not to come off.
05How do I clean a porcelain chalkboard?
A felt eraser for chalk, a damp cloth for liquid chalk. For a deeper clean, mild soap and water. No abrasive pads or solvents.
06Do you make painted chalkboards?
No. Every board we build is porcelain-on-steel, in Classic Black or Forest Green, framed in hardwood or aluminum and sized to the inch.
Planning a big wall? Large chalkboard sizes and prices. Ready to order? Where to buy a custom chalkboard.
Real porcelain, sized to your wall.
See your price as you build. Exact shipping confirmed within 24 hours.
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